> Looking for an Occupation Therapist? > Being an Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy provides the skills for the job of living, to help people lead productive and satisfying lives. Occupational Therapists consider occupation to be everything people do to occupy themselves: Self-care, Leisure, Productivity/Work.
Occupational Therapy works to break down the barriers which impede individuals in their everyday activities: Physical, Psychosocial, Community, Environment.
Depending on what your issue is, an Occupational Therapist can help you resolve it by:
- Helping you overcome your disability
- Adapting the material/equipment you use
- Recommending changes to your environment
The History of Occupational Therapy in Nova Scotia
How We Came to Be
Written by Jean Smith, Joan Currin, and Bernice Bignell in 1987.
This article has been edited.
The history of occupational therapy in Nova Scotia can be traced back to 1920 when Mary Black, an occupational therapist and author of the book, "Key to Weaving" was employed by the Nova Scotia Hospital. She treated World War I veterans under the "Soldier's Civil Re-establishment" department. Since her program was so successful, hospital authorities recommended similar programmes be extended to civilian patients. This did not happen until 1949.
The Nova Scotia Society of Occupational Therapists (NSSOT) was formed on October 19, 1951 with seven of the ten provincial occupational therapists present. The purpose of the society was to promote the development of the profession through education and increased public awareness of occupational therapy. Initially NSSOT held joint meetings with the Nova Scotia Association of Physiotherapists.
In the 1950's, a number of new occupational therapy departments were established, among them the Nova Scotia Sanitarium in Kentville and the Nova Scotia Rehab Centre in Halifax (both 1956). The Victoria General Hospital's occupational therapy department opened in the early 1960's.In 1970, an act passed by Provincial
Legislature brought about the formation of the Nova Scotia Association of Occupational Therapists (NSAOT) [now called the College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia (COTNS)] which permits only qualified occupational therapists to practice in Nova Scotia.In the mid-seventies, NSSOT was registered as a "society" under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia.
Two milestones for the profession were attained in 1979 when two occupational therapists in private practice set up "Community OT Services" and in 1982 when the School of Occupational Therapy opened at Dalhousie University.One of the more prominent members of NSSOT was May Hamilton. In 1953 she helped set up the first rehab centre in Venezuela and later was invited by the government of that country to set up a school of occupational therapy in Caracas named the "May Hamilton School of O.T.". She died in 1978. NSSOT has remained a very active society thirty-six years after its founding.
Four of its founding members, Joan Curren, Bernice Bignell, Fran Merkly, and Jean Smith, became new life members when this article was written.
Looking for an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational Therapists work in a number of settings:
In the Community:
Home care, Health Boards, Community Health Centres, Clinics , Community Action Groups, Workers Compensation Boards, Government
In Institutions:
Acute Care Hospitals, Long Term Care Hospitals, Schools, Rehabilitation Centres, Nursing Homes, Mental Health Centres
In Industry:
Businesses, Insurance Companies, Construction and Architectural firms, Private Industry, Rehabilitation Companies, and Private Practice
To find an Occupational Therapist:
Check the yellow pages under Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Services, your local general hospital, and College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia.
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists 1-800-434-2268
www.caot.ca or www.otworks.com
Who covers the cost of Occupational Therapy Services?
Your family doctor can refer you to an occupational therapist for occupational therapy services covered under your provincial medical plan. (These occupational therapists usually work in hospitals or government funded rehabilitation centers and home care programmes).
If you have extended health care benefit insurance, check with your insurance company to see if they offer occupational therapy as an extended health care benefit.
If you have a work-related illness or injury, occupational therapy services may be provided upon referral, by Workers Compensation.
If you have an illness or injury from a motor vehicle accident, occupational therapy services may be covered under your auto insurance plan.
If you are receiving long term disability income from an insurance programme, your programme may cover occupational therapy services.
Department of Veteran's Affairs (for CA Armed Forces Veterans)
Private practice occupational therapists also offer competitive rates for their services.
Being an Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists are University trained, regulated health professionals whose approach is based on research which proves that an individual's ability to engage in occupation increases health and well being.
Occupational Therapists have:
Graduated from an accredited university programme with a four year baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy or a master's degree in occupational therapy.
Successfully completed a minimum of 1000 hours of fieldwork education.
Successfully passed the certification examination administered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, or met provincial registration qualifications.
Occupational Therapists are experts, recognized by the government and consumers for evaluating and promoting performance in daily occupations.
Revenue Canada recognizes occupational therapy as a tax deductible medical expense.
Occupational therapists are recognized by Revenue Canada to authorize disability tax credits for persons with a physical disability.
Occupational therapists are recognized by Revenue Canada to authorize income tax deductions for therapy services provided to persons with a physical disability by a nonregulated health provider.
Occupational therapists are authorized to prescribe assistive devices such as wheelchairs, mobility devices, and communication aids in provinces with provincial assistive device funding programmes.
Authorization by an occupational therapist is required by many consumer organizations for co-funding the purchase of assistive devices.
The credentials of occupational therapists are recognized by provincial governments for assessing mental health competency.
Occupational therapy driving evaluations are recognized by provincial governments for assessing an individual's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.